Woodworking machine

ABSTRACT

A woodworking machine is disclosed that forms a plurality of properly oriented grooves in a wood panel to effect simple cabinet fabrication. The panel rests on a horizontal table having an alighment fence and a plurality of selective operable stops that enable placement of the panel on the table in a plurality of predetermined grooving positions. A clamping device holds the panel in one of the positions, and a groove is then formed by a cutting assembly including a pair of rotary cutters both of which are disposed at 45* with respect to the table and at 90* with respect to each other. The machine includes means for lowering the cutting assembly to a desired position above the table and advancing the assembly with respect to the panel to form the groove. The assembly is then elevated to a non-cutting position and returned to its initial position. The machine also includes means for automatically actuating the stops in a preselected sequence to effect the formation of a plurality of properly placed grooves.

United States Patent Holan [54] WOODWORKING MACHINE Leif A. l-lolan,Winona, Minn.

[731 Assignees: William Wernz; Rudolph Miesbauer; Leif A. Holan,Stockholders of Winona industries, Inc., Winona, Minn., part interest toeach [22] Filed: Sept. 25, 1969 [21] Appl.No.: 861,001

[72] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl ..144/136, 144/7 [51] Int. Cl. ..B27f 5/00, 1327b 7/02 [58]Field ofSearch ..l44/136T, 133,7; 143/47,

1 51 June 27, 1972 3,065,776 11/1962 Bookhart 144/] 36 PrimaryExaminer-Donald R. Schran Attorney-Merchant & Gould [5 7] ABSTRACT Awoodworking machine is disclosed that forms a plurality of properlyoriented grooves in a wood panel to effect simple cabinet fabrication.The panel rests on a horizontal table having an alighment fence and aplurality of selective operable stops that enable placement of the panelon the table in a plurality of predetermined grooving positions. Aclamping device holds the panel in one of the positions, and a groove isthen formed by a cutting assembly including a pair of rotary cuttersboth of which are disposed at 45 with respect to the table and at 90with respect to each other. The machine includes means for lowering thecutting assembly to a desired position above the table and advancing theassembly with respect to the panel to form the groove. The assembly isthen elevated to a noncutting position and returned to its initialposition. The machine also includes means for automatically actuatingthe stops in a preselected sequence to effect the formation of aplurality of properly placed grooves.

13 Claims, 15 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHN I972 3,672,415

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W ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention In thefield of mass-production cabinetmaking, the present practice is toproduce cabinets from a single panel by cutting a plurality of groovesin the panel to enable the formation of comer miter joints. The singlepanel can then be quickly assembled into the desired cabinetconfiguration.

2. Description of the Prior Art My co-pending application WoodworkingMachine, Ser. No. 823,370, filed May 9, 1969, broadly discloses awoodgrooving machine that facilitates the quick assembly of cabinets andthe like. That application specifically discloses a machine whichsimultaneously forms a plurality of grooves in a panel by causing thepanel to be advanced with respect to a plurality of novel groove-cuttingheads. By virtue of the multiple functions provided, this machine isextremely complex.

Also included in the prior art is a machine that employs a singlerotating element to form the desired groove. The single element must, ofcourse, be quite thick to be able to cut a groove in a single pass.Because of this thickness, the cutter has a tendency to splinter or tearthe panel, thereby preventing a tight, flush miter joint from beingformed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention employs the novel cuttingassembly of my previous patent application, thereby avoiding thedifficulties of the single, thick rotating cutter, but in a far lesscomplex machine. This is done by providing a supporting surface uponwhich the panel is held in properly oriented relation, and advancing thecutter assembly, which consists of a pair of rotary cutting elementswhich are disposed at 45 with respect to the panel and supportingsurface and 90 with respect to each other, along a linear tack that isdisposed parallel to the supporting surface so that it forms a groove ofpredetermined depth in the panel. Provision is also made for movement ofthe panel through a plurality of positions corresponding with the numberof grooves to be formed in the panel through the use of a plurality ofstops which can be sequentially operated either manually orautomatically. Formation of a groove in a panel is also facilitatedthrough the use of elevating means that moves the cutter assemblybetween a non-cutting position and a cutting position at a predetermineddepth in the panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in top plan; FIG. 2is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, portionsthereof broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the cutting assembly of FIG. 2, portionsthereof broken away;

FIG. 5 is a view taken generally along a line 5-5 of FIG. 5; FIG. 6 is aview taken generally along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view taken generally along a line 77 of FIG. 4,portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 4, portionsthereof broken away;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view of a panel-clamping portion of FIG.2, portions thereof broken away;

FIG. 10 is a view taken generally along a line 10-10 of FIG.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a manual stop mounted on thepanel-supporting table of FIG. 1, portions thereof broken awa FIG. 12 isa view taken along line 12-12 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 13-13of FIG. 1;

FIG. 14 is a view in top plan of a cut panel; and

FIG. 15 is an elevation of the panel shown in FIG. 14.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, awoodworking machine is represented generally by the numeral 11 andgenerally consists of a frame 12, a support means or table 13, a cutterassembly 14 which rides on a track 15 and a clamping device 16.

Frame 12 includes a plurality of legs 21 which support table 13, anoverhead member 22 which carries track 15, and support members 23therefor. Table 13 and the legs 12 are connected to the supports 23 ofthe overhead assembly by means of triangular brackets 24, so that track15 is properly oriented with respect to table 13.

Operating in association with table 13 is an alignment fence 25 which isheld in place by a plurality of elongated members 26 which pass throughand receive adjustable support from gear boxes 27. Each of the elongatedmembers 26 is formed with a gear rack to enable movement of fence 25 bysimultaneous operation of the gear boxes 27. This is done by means of arod 28 which can be rotated by a handle 29 to bring about the necessaryadjustment of fence 25.

Cooperating with the fence 25 to properly align a panel are a pluralityof manually operable stops or abutment members 31, and electricallyactuated stops 32, as best seen in FIG. 1. Referring also to FIGS. 11and 12, it can be seen that the manually operable stops 31 are pivotallyconnected to a rod 33 which is attached to frame 12 and disposedparallel to fence 25. Member 31 can be pivotally moved between panelabutting and non-abutting positions on rod 33, and can be held in thedesired position by means of threaded bolts 34 which frictionally engagerod 33. Stops 31 can also be adjustable moved along the length of rod 33to establish the panel in a predetermined position with respect to thecutter assembly 14.

The stops 32 are disposed in a slot 35 disposed in table 13, and, asfurther seen in FIG. 13, are each actuated by a solenoid 36 mountedbelow table 13. Solenoid 36 has a plunger 37 to which the stop 32 isconnected, so that upon application of current to the coil of solenoid36, plunger 37 carries stop 32 above table 13 to abut the panel and holdit in a desired position.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10 in combination with FIG. 2, it can beseen that the clamping mechanism 16 consists of a pair of elongatedclamping members 41 which are supported at each end by a frame 42. Frame42 offers adjustable support to each clamping member 41 by means of athreaded clamping knob 43 which operates through a slot 44 in frame 42.

Disposed at opposite ends of the clamping mechanism 16 are a pair ofhydraulic actuators 45 each of which has a plunger 46 that carries itsrespective frame member 42. Each of the actuators 45 is apiston-cylinder arrangement with hydraulic inlets 47, 48 disposed oneither side of the piston. A hydraulic line 49 provides a commonconnection to both inlets 47, and a similar hydraulic line 50 serves thesame function for inlets 48. Thus, upon application of hydraulic fluidfrom a source (not shown) to hydraulic line 49, the pistons in bothactuators 45 would be forced downwardly, causing the members 41 toforcibly clamp the panel to table 13. Application of hydraulic fluid toline 50 moves members 41 to a panel-releasing position.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the track 15 can be seen to consist of apair of outwardly disposed flange portions 51 connected to the overheadmember 22 of frame 12. The track-riding portion of cutter assembly 14consists of a pair of grooves 52 formed by an upper support plate 53 andfour members 54 with members 55 bolted thereto. As seen in FIG. 3,cutter assembly 14 is advanced along track 15 by an endless belt orchain 56, to which it is clamped by plates 57 and bolts 58. Endlesschain 56 is reversibly actuated by a reversible motor 59, which drives ageanreducing mechanism 60 by means of a belt 63. Gear-reducing mechanism60 has a driving sprocket 61 that operates in association with an idlersprocket 62 to advance and retract cutter assembly 14 in accordance withoperation of the motor 59.

The cutter assembly 14 is shown in detail in FIGS. 4 8. It includes apair of electric motors 64 each of which drives a circular saw blade 65through a belt 66 and bearing housing 67. The motor 64 and bearinghousing 67 are respectively mounted on vertical support plates 68, 69,which are in turn carried by a horizontally disposed support plate 70.As best seen in FIG. 5, each of the bearing housings 67 is adjustable onits associated support plate 69 by means of a threaded bolt 71 whichpasses through an extension 72 of housing 67 and abuts a flange portion73 forming part of support plate 69. Adjustment of housing 67 withrespect to plate 69 is permitted by the slots 75, and when the properposition is established a plurality of bolts 74 tighten housing 67 toplate 69.

Forming part of the cutter assembly 14 is an elevating mechanismdisposed within the overhead support 22, which consists of a hydraulicactuator 81, as best seen in FIG. 7, and four rod-and-guide means 82,one of which is specifically disclosed in FIG. 8.

Actuator 81 is mounted on supporting plate 53 (previously discussed withrespect to FIG. 6) by a plurality of threaded bolts 83. Preferably,actuator 81 is a piston-cylinder arrangement having hydraulic inlets 84,85 disposed at opposite ends of the cylinder to enable reversiblemovement of the piston in accordance with application of hydraulic fluidto a selected inlet.

Output of the piston-cylinder is realized by a plunger 86 that extendsthrough an opening in support plate 53 and is connected to support plate70 by means of an overlying flange plate 87 bolted thereto.

The rod-and-guide means 82 consists of a rod 91 that is firmly attachedto support plate 53 by means of a bolted overlying flange plate 92.Disposed at the lower end of rod 91 is a cap 93 which is slidablyadjustable on rod 91 by means of a threaded member 94 and a nut 95. Asconstructed, the bottom face of overlying flange plate 92 and the upperedge of cap 93 serve as upper and lower limits, respectively, for thesupport plate 70 as it is moved upward and downward by the actuator 81.The use of four rod-and-guide means 82 insures accurate alignment of thecutter assembly 14 when it is lowered to a panel-cutting position.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, there is disposed on one side of theoverhead frame 22 a pair of limit switches 101, 102 which are used tocontrol the woodworking machine in part. The limit switches 101, 102 arenormally biased into one state of operation, and include a downwardlydisposed roller member 103 which can be displaced against the bias tochange the state of switch operation. Displacement of the roller 103 iseffected by a projecting tab 104 (see also FIG. 2) which forms part ofsupport plate 55.

A small panel 105 (FIG. 1) provides centralized control of thewoodworking machine, and manual actuation of any of its control switchescan effect movement of the clamping mechanism, advancement orretractment of the cutting assembly 14, upward or downward movement ofthe elevating mechanism 81 or selective movement of any of thesolenoidactuated stops 32. Although not disclosed, it is possible toincorporate additional control means so that after a particular stop 32has been selected and the panel properly oriented on table 13 againstfence 25 and the selected stop 32, actuation of a single switch oncontrol panel 105 will sequentially cause clamping means 16 to clamp thepanel against table 13, lower cutter assembly 14 to a predeterminedgroove-forming position and advance cutter assembly 14 by endless chain56 through the panel to form the groove. When roller 103 of limit switch101 is displaced by tab 104, cutter assembly 14 is elevated to anon-cutting position, clamping means is raised to a panel-releasingposition and cutter assembly 14 is retracted toward its initial positionwhere it comes to rest as tab 104 displaces roller 103 of limit switch102.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forming grooves in a panel having edges and planarsurfaces, comprising:

a. frame means;

b. support means carried by the frame means for supporting the panel inan operating plane;

c. a movable groove fonning cutter assembly;

d. and track means carried by the frame means for supporting and guidingthe cutter assembly through straight-line movement with respect to aplanar surface of the panel;

e. the cutter assembly comprising 5 l. first and second relativelymovable frame portions, the second frame portion operably connected tothe track means;

2. first and second rotary cutting elements carried by the first frameportion and lying in planes disposed at predetermined angles relative tothe operating plane and which intersect each other at a predeterminedpoint above the support means;

3. power means carried by the first frame portion for rotating thecutter elements;

. rod means carried by one of said first and second frame portions andincluding first and second abutment surfaces;

5. guide means carried by the other of said first and second frameportions for guidably receiving the rod means;

the first abutment surface disposed to abut said other frame portion ata position corresponding to a panelcutting position;

7. the second abutment surface disposed to abut said other frame portionat a position corresponding to a non-cutting position;

8. and reversible motor means for effecting guided movement of the firstframe portion with respect to the second frame portion.

2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 and further comprising hold-downmeans for maintaining the panel in firm engagement with the supportmeans during movement of the cutter assembly.

3. The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein the holddown meanscomprises:

a. an elongated clamping member disposed parallel to the operatingplane;

b. and hydraulic means for actuating the clamping member betweenpanel-clamping and non-clamping positions.

4. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, and further comprising drivemeans for moving the cutter assembly along the track means.

5. The apparatus as defined by claim 4, wherein the drive meanscomprises:

a. a reversible motor carried by the frame means and having a firstsprocket wheel rotatably mounted thereon;

b. idler means carried by the frame means and having a second sprocketwheel;

c. and an endless chain operably connected between the first and secondsprocket wheels;

d. the cutter assembly being operably connected to the chain.

6. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the support means has aflat surface, the operating plane is essentially horizontal and thetrack means is disposed above the flat surface and parallel to theoperating plane.

7. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein:

a. the cutter assembly includes first and second grooves disposed onopposite sides thereof;

b. and the track means comprises an elongated supporting member havingfirst and second outwardly disposed flange portions, the flange slidablymated with the first and second grooves, respectively.

8. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein:

a. the panel is rectangular;

b. and further comprising alignment means operating in association withthe support means, the alignment means comprising 1. fence meansdisposed essentially perpendicular to the track means, the fence meansadapted to slidably receive and align a side edge of the panel.

9. The apparatus as defined by claim 8, wherein the alignment meansfurther comprises stop means for abutting a selected one of the panelfront and rear edges and retaining 75 the panel in a predeterminedposition along the fence means.

10. The apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein the stop meanscomprises:

a. an elongated rod member carried by the frame means and disposedessentially parallel to the fence means;

b. and a plurality of abutment members spaced along the rod member andpivotally supported thereby, the abutment members pivotally movablebetween panel-abutting and non-abutting positions.

1 l. The apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein:

a. the support means includes an elongated slot portion;

b. and the stop means comprises a plurality of spaced,electromagnetically-operated abutment members disposed in the slotportion and carried by the frame means, the abutment members movablebetween panel-abutting and nonabutting positions.

12. The apparatus as defined by claim 8, wherein the fence means isadjustable with respect to the support means along a line parallel withthe track means.

13. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein:

a. the cutter element are circular saw blades;

b. and the power means comprises v 1. a motor for each saw blade;

2. an adjustably mounted bearing housing associated with each motor, thecircular saw blade rotatably mounted on the respective bearing housings;

3. and a belt for connecting each of the bearing housings with itsrespective motor.

1. Apparatus for forming grooves in a panel having edges and planarsurfaces, comprising: a. frame means; b. support means carried by theframe means for supporting the panel in an operating plane; c. a movablegroove forming cutter assembly; d. and track means carried by the framemeans for supporting and guiding the cutter assembly throughstraight-line movement with respect to a planar surface of the panel; e.the cutter assembly comprising
 1. first and second relatively movableframe portions, the second frame portion operably connected to the trackmeans;
 2. first and second rotary cutting elements carried by the firstframe portion and lying in planes disposed at predetermined anglesrelative to the operating plane and which intersect each other at apredetermined point above the support means;
 3. power means carried bythe first frame portion for rotating the cutter elements;
 4. rod meanscarried by one of said first and second frame portions and includingfirst and second abutment surfaces;
 5. guide means carried by the otherof said first and second frame portions for guidably receiving the rodmeans;
 6. the first abutment surface disposed to abut said other frameportion at a position corresponding to a panel-cutting position;
 7. thesecond abutment surface disposed to abut said other frame portion at aposition corresponding to a non-cutting position;
 8. and reversiblemotor means for effecting guided movement of the first frame portionwith respect to the second frame portion.
 2. first and second rotarycutting elements carried by the first frame portion and lying in planesdisposed at predetermined angles relative to the operating plane andwhich intersect each other at a predetermined point above the supportmeans;
 2. The apparatus as defined by claim 1 and further comprisinghold-down means for maintaining the panel in firm engagement with thesupport means during movement of the cutter assembly.
 2. an adjustablymounted bearing housing associated with each motor, the circular sawblade rotatably mounted on the respective bearing housings;
 3. and abelt for connecting each of the bearing housings with its respectivemotor.
 3. The apparatus as defined by claim 2 wherein the hold-downmeans comprises: a. an elongated clamping member disposed parallel tothe operating plane; b. and hydraulic means for actuating the clampingmember between panel-clamping and non-clamping positions.
 3. power meanscarried by the first frame portion for rotating the cutter elements; 4.rod means carried by one of said first and second frame portions andincluding first and second abutment surfaces;
 4. The apparatus asdefined by claim 1, and further comprising drive means for moving thecutter assembly along the track means.
 5. The apparatus as defined byclaim 4, wherein the drive means comprises: a. a reversible motorcarried by the frame means and having a first sprocket wheel rotatablymounted thereon; b. idler means carried by the frAme means and having asecond sprocket wheel; c. and an endless chain operably connectedbetween the first and second sprocket wheels; d. the cutter assemblybeing operably connected to the chain.
 5. guide means carried by theother of said first and second frame portions for guidably receiving therod means;
 6. the first abutment surface disposed to abut said otherframe portion at a position corresponding to a panel-cutting position;6. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein the support means has aflat surface, the operating plane is essentially horizontal and thetrack means is disposed above the flat surface and parallel to theoperating plane.
 7. The apparatus as defined by claim 1, wherein: a. thecutter assembly includes first and second grooves disposed on oppositesides thereof; b. and the track means comprises an elongated supportingmember having first and second outwardly disposed flange portions, theflange slidably mated with the first and second grooves, respectively.7. the second abutment surface disposed to abut said other frame portionat a position corresponding to a non-cutting position;
 8. and reversiblemotor means for effecting guided movement of the first frame portionwith respect to the second frame portion.
 8. The apparatus as defined byclaim 1, wherein: a. the panel is rectangular; b. and further comprisingalignment means operating in association with the support means, thealignment means comprising
 9. The apparatus as defined by claim 8,wherein the alignment means further comprises stop means for abutting aselected one of the panel front and rear edges and retaining the panelin a predetermined position along the fence means.
 10. The apparatus asdefined by claim 9, wherein the stop means comprises: a. an elongatedrod member carried by the frame means and disposed essentially parallelto the fence means; b. and a plurality of abutment members spaced alongthe rod member and pivotally supported thereby, the abutment memberspivotally movable between panel-abutting and non-abutting positions. 11.The apparatus as defined by claim 9, wherein: a. the support meansincludes an elongated slot portion; b. and the stop means comprises aplurality of spaced, electromagnetically-operated abutment membersdisposed in the slot portion and carried by the frame means, theabutment members movable between panel-abutting and non-abuttingpositions.
 12. The apparatus as defined by claim 8, wherein the fencemeans is adjustable with respect to the support means along a lineparallel with the track means.
 13. The apparatus as defined by claim 1,wherein: a. the cutter element are circular saw blades; b. and the powermeans comprises